Or maybe it’s something else entirely. Whatever the case, all I know is it’s felt damn good getting back out on the ice these last few games, and I can’t wait for it to count for real.
“Holy shit. Was that an actual positive thing you said?” Hayes smarts off.
I flip him my middle finger, even though he’s right. Anytime I’m off the ice, I’ve been in a pissy mood, and I suspect it has to do with a certain blonde I haven’t seen since I dropped her back off at her car after burgers and shakes.
It’s not for lack of wanting on my part, either. It’s been hard as hell to stay away from Nessa, but I have. I only slipped up once in the group and have only had to stop myself from parking in front of Top Shelf four times. Sure, it probably wouldn’t be too weird to stop in since I go there regularly, but with her working there, it feels different.
It also doesn’t help that Keller is aware of our past. He hasn’t said anything about what happened at the bar, and neither have I, but there’s still this certain look he’s been giving me, one that says,I could ruin your life, and I’m not about to put that to the test. So, I’ve kept my mouth shut and my ass out of the bar.
“I’d ask if we’re all going to go out and celebrate the end of preseason, but I assume that’s a no since the baby still isn’t here,” Lawson says. “What the hell is that thing’s problem? Doesn’t it want to meet its uncle Lawson?”
“I don’t think the baby appreciates being called athingor anit, so I can’t imagine they’re in a hurry to meet you,” Hayes says, eyes wide with bewilderment as if he is somehow actually surprised by Lawson’s general dumbassery.
“And I think if Hutch were in here, he would inform you that you are not the baby’s uncle. You’re just Rory’s boyfriend,” Keller adds.
“JustRory’s boyfriend? Just herboyfriend? That’s all you think I am? We live together! We’re raising children together!”
“I don’t know how many times I have to say this, but pets arenotchildren.”
Lawson pulls out his phone, then shoves it in Hayes’s face. “You’re going to look at this angel and tell me this isn’t my daughter? Look at her! Look at how damn adorable she is! That’s my baby girl!”
Hayes smacks the phone away, and I roll my eyes at their antics. Yep, it’s definitely hockey season again. The guys are bickering like brothers and annoying one another to no end.
“Where is Hutch anyway? I thought he was right behind me…” Fox says, stripping off his goalie equipment. No matter how many times I’ve watched him take it off and put it on throughout the years, it will never cease to amaze me just how small he actually is underneath it all, and that’s saying something because Fox isn’t a tiny guy by any means.
“He’s in the hallway,” Dash, our second goaltender, answers.
“Saw him on the phone,” another teammate says.
Lawson rolls his eyes. “He’s probably checking in on Auden…again. He’s so obsessed with her.”
“Want to do the honors or me?” Hayes says to Keller.
“You know what? I’ll let you have this one.”
“Do what honors?” Lawson asks just as Hayes reaches up and slaps him on the back of the head. “Hey! What the fuck, man?”
“You know what you did” is all Hayes says.
“All right, fine. I’ll let you have that one. But I—yo, Hutchy? You okay?”
We all look toward our captain, who just walked into the locker room. His eyes are wide as he stares down at his phone, his skin at least two shades paler than just five minutes ago. I follow his gaze and see his hands trembling.
“Uh, Hutch?” Fox asks. “You good?”
“That was…” He swallows. “That was Vanessa. I… Auden…”
Oh shit.I launch to my feet. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“Go?” Lawson asks. “Where are we going?”
“Wearen’t going anywhere,” I say, quickly grabbing my sweats and yanking them on. “Hutch and I are.” I slip my feet into my shoes, forgoing my socks, then snatch my phone, wallet, and keys from my cubby. “Come on. I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“The hospital? Oh, fuck. It’s happening?”
“It’s happening,” I confirm, grabbing Hutch’s shoulder. He’s still staring down at his phone. I give him a shake, trying to snap him out of it. “Hey, man. Come on.”
Finally, he looks up at me, and there is absolutely no mistaking the fear in his gaze. I’ve seen it time and time again on my siblings’ and in-laws’ faces over the years.
